To complete this assignment, browse smarthistory.org for an individual artwork, building, monument, or archaeological site that interests you. Your selected work will be represented by an article and/or a video or related multi-media resource. Read the resource(s) for your selected work, and write a minimum 1.5-page essay that:
identifies the work you selected
describes and discusses the work, with a focus on its historical significance
explains what the work tells us about the larger period or culture that it comes from
describes what you found especially fascinating and noteworthy about the work (why did you choose it? why is it especially cool? how did it surprise you?)
To select an artwork, follow these instructions:
1. Go to smarthistory.org
2. Hover over “For Learning”….reveal a drop down menu in which you will see “Art Histories”
3. Click on a region/period
4. Drill down until you get to the level of individual articles/videos. Select an article/video about an artwork or building that intrigues you. NOTE: do not select an article/video about a general topic.
5. Read the article/video to learn about your artwork or building. It would be a good idea also to read some of the more general articles/videos about the period or culture your artwork or building comes from. This will provide you with context to better understand the historical significance of your selected work and how it exemplifies its time and place.
Include at least one photo of your selected work, and be sure to use the photo as a reference point in your discussion (refer to it and use it to help you explain the work).
Your post must be based on smarthistory.org resources. Posts that make use of outside resources will be downgraded.
Do not use an artwork you have already discussed in another assignment in this class.
All work must be your own. Submissions that use copied or paraphrased text, text from AI text generator programs, or text from AI writing assistance programs (such as Grammarly) will receive “0” points and may receive a failing grade for the class.
SHORT ESSAY ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS
Short essay assignments are an opportunity for you to practice formal writing. For these assignments, you should
Plan your essay before you write (creating an outline is the best to do this)
Use standard college essay structure, with separate paragraphs for your introduction, main points, and conclusion
Use topic sentences when you begin a paragraph and transition sentences to help guide the reader
Use standard formatting (1-inch margins, 12-point font, double-spaced)
Proofread before you submit
For short essays in this class, do not include a title or header information at the beginning of your essay. Your file upload will identify you.
